Louisville legalizes backyard chickens, making Boulder County a haven for hens

Those feeling historically henpecked by backyard chicken restrictions in Boulder County can no longer cry fowl after a decision by the Louisville City Council on Monday night officially making it the last major municipality in the county to unscramble its poultry-punishing protocols.

The council voted 6-1 on second reading to allow up to six hens -- but no roosters -- per household. Councilman Ron Sackett was the lone council member to object.

Under the ordinance, residents must provide a coop and an enclosed run for the animals, and in a stipulation unique to Louisville, homeowners will be permitted to slaughter their chickens on site provided the lethal activity is done out of sight of neighboring properties.

Homeowner-association-controlled neighborhoods in Louisville can continue to outlaw chickens. The ordinance doesn't take effect for another month.

Councilwoman Susan Loo asked about odor concerns and police Chief Bruce Goodman told her his department will respond on a complaint basis. He said odor is not permitted to cross property lines.

"So it's like pornography, we'll know it when we see it -- we'll know it when we smell it," Loo said, generating laughter in the council chambers.

Louisville joins a long list of local communities that have changed their rules on backyard chickens in recent years. Lafayette and Longmont allowed hens a couple of years ago, and just last month, Erie joined the growing brood by green-lighting poultry there.

Backyard chickens have grown in popularity recently as has the local food movement, which embraces getting fresh eggs from family-raised hens. The Louisville Urban Hen Coalition, a citizen group embracing the concept, began pushing for the rule change last spring.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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